Classifying Dangerous Goods for Transport

When preparing items for transport, its critical that they first be identified as either hazardous or non-
hazardous goods. If its determined that a material to be shipped is hazardous, it needs to be classified
properly because the class under which it falls is what determines how it will be packaged, processed
and transported.
The importance of proper classification cannot be overstated because every handler in the transport
chain must be made aware of exactly what is contained in their shipments. Dangerous goods held in the
wrong environments, under the wrong temperatures, and with the wrong materials can elevate the
hazard to a critical level. As an example, one way each class of dangerous materials is marked for
shipment is with the use of universally recognised labels. If the material has been improperly classified,
and the wrong label is used for transport, the results could be catastrophic. Understanding how to
classify dangerous goods can literally be a life or death matter.

Hazardous Goods Classifications
The transporting of dangerous goods by any means (sea, air, rail, road) is regulated and monitored by
UK legislation, which has its roots in various European directives, agreements and laws. They are all
drawn from the UNs Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, which attempts to
streamline the international hazardous material transportation process.
Part of the UNs recommendations is an internationally accepted list that classifies all dangerous goods
based on their predominate hazard. Currently, there are nine UN classes, many broken down further
into divisions. Here is the current UN class list:
Class 1: Explosives
Class 2: Gases (2.1: natural gases, 2.2: non-toxic and non-flammable gases, 2.3: toxic gas)
Class 3: Flammable liquid
Class 4: Flammable solid (4.1: flammable solids, 4.2: spontaneously combustible substances, 4.3:
material that emits flammable gas when it comes in contact with water)
Class 5: Oxidisers and organic peroxide (5.1: oxidising materials, 5.2: organic peroxide)
Class 6: Infectious and toxic materials (6.1: toxic materials, 6.2: infectious materials)
Class 7: Radioactive material
Class 8: Corrosive materials
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous materials

Who is Responsible for Proper Classification?
The business, or person, who is shipping the goods is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all
hazardous material is appropriately packaged and marked. Due to the potential for human and
environmental exposure to dangerous materials, it is a requirement that most businesses shipping
hazardous goods hire a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) to advise them and ensure that proper
protocol is followed during the classification, packaging, labelling and shipping process.

Odds and Ends
The UN list of hazardous goods does contain some items that may surprise people. For instance, dried
vegetable fibres are classified as a class 4 hazardous material, nicotine is listed as a class 6.1 hazard and
air bag modules are classified as class 9 hazards. If there is any question about how to classify
something, or whether or not it is considered a hazardous material, consult a Dangerous Goods Safety
Advisor (DGSA) before processing and packaging it for transport.
When dangerous goods need to be transported, it is imperative that they be classified correctly. Proper
classification ensures that every step of the way, from handling to processing, packaging, labelling, and
shipping, the materials will remain as latent as possible until they reach their destination.